Sochi 2014

Frenzel achieves new career pinnacle with individual gold in the Nordic combined

Germany's Eric Frenzel showed just why he is the current world number one, keeping his cool amid spring-like temperatures to storm to Olympic gold in the Nordic combined at the RusSki Gorki Jumping Centre

Starting first after winning the morning's ski jumping on the normal hill, the current world number one took the lead in the 10km cross country ski phase, with Akito Watabe of Japan providing the main challenge.

With temperatures of 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit), Frenzel, who won a team bronze at Vancouver 2010, finished in 23min 50.2sec.

Watabe finished in second on 23 minutes 54.4 seconds to secure Japan’s first podium in the Nordic combined for 20 years, while Norway's Magnus Krog took the bronze in 23 seconds 58.3 minutes.

“Biggest moment of my life”

"It feels so amazing, it is so incredible, there are no words to describe it,” said the current World Cup leader. “It is the biggest moment of my life.”

Frenzel’s victory continued a four-day golden streak for the Germans, propelling them to the top of the medals table with five golds.

Meanwhile, the 2010 champion Jason Lamy-Chappuis of France, who was very much expected to be in the mix for the medals, struggled for tempo in the slushy snow came in 35th.

"Right from the start my legs were not working well, the glide was not good, it was a nightmare," said the Frenchman who.